There was a time when Dean Wade was viewed as one of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ most important role players. Over the last two seasons, the Cavs are 83-30 in the games that Wade plays in. He is an analytics
darling and is one of the team’s best defensive players.
Wade also fits well with the team’s core four of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland had a +5.1 net rating with this lineup, where defense was the strength with a solid 112.7 defensive rating.
However, Wade has not shown up in big moments. Whether it is wilting in playoff environments or injuries, the forward has yet to prove his importance in a postseason setting.
The analytics look upon Wade favorably. This past spring, Cleveland had a +8.0 net rating with the forward on the court, although those numbers are largely inflated by the first-round series, where the Cavs swept the Miami Heat.
Even so, Wade was largely unplayable against the Indiana Pacers. He struggled to keep up with Indy’s pace, and on offense, he struggled to find his place. Wade shot only 20% from three-point range, after shooting 37% during the regular season. However, it was the lack of confidence that was the most alarming.
Wade only took ten threes in five games against the Pacers. He shot the ball 13 times in total. He was not nearly aggressive enough in a series where the Cavs needed him to be, especially given their shorthandedness. Wade doesn’t need to take 15 shots a game, but he needs to look for his shot way more than he has been. He especially needs to take more threes, as floor spacing is essential to the core four thriving.
Wade also found himself in trade rumors this summer, as he garnered interest from the Houston Rockets, most notably. Cleveland has also brought in more reinforcements in their frontcourt with the signings of Larry Nance Jr. and Thomas Bryant.
Part of the Cavs’ problem from before was their over-reliance on Wade. Now, that is no longer the case. Cleveland is much deeper in the frontcourt, and especially if younger guys like Jaylon Tyson and Nae’Qwan Tomlin emerge, Wade could find himself as the odd man out. He is only making $6.6 million on an expiring contract this season, so the Cavs could easily trade him if he doesn’t turn it around.
Wade can turn it around this year. He will have opportunities to do so, especially early on in the season with the health issues Cleveland is already dealing with. Max Strus likely won’t be back until 2026, and De’Andre Hunter, Lonzo Ball, and Nance Jr. all have their own long injury histories. The Cavs are going to need Wade to produce at a high level and consistently.
He has all the tools to be one of the team’s best three-and-D wings. He can guard multiple positions, he can play either forward spot, and can space the floor. Wade’s issue is that he has shown this in spurts. Now, he needs to do it consistently. We all fondly remember the 2024 regular season game against the Boston Celtics, where Wade willed the team to victory. It is unwise to expect that every night, but there has to be a happy medium.
The Cavs have shown that they believe in Wade. They want him to have confidence, they want him to shoot more, and they know they need him. Now it is on the forward to reward that faith.
